Warehouse Extension Blum UK Milton Keynes, 2009

The initial phase of building at the Mandeville Road site provided warehousing and office facilities for Blum UK. Designed by careyjones architects and built in 2003 the buildings responded to the clients brief that the building should express the nature of their business. As such the silver clad buildings with angular forms took their inspiration from a kitchen cabinet hinge and draw system.

As acknowledged market leaders in this field Blum UK has continued to expand their operation and as a result the requirement for a high bay warehouse on site was identified. Provision had always been made to locate an extension adjacent the original warehouse building, although it was not at that point conceived as a high bay unit. careyjones architects were again approached to undertake this project and Jonathan commenced working with Blum accordingly in 2007.

It was important that the new high bay building complemented the original design aesthetic and as such reference was made to the original angular form of the facade whilst at the same time a large gable window was introduced allowing glimpses of the automated operation within.

The design of the 21,000 sq ft warehouse is based around a bespoke modular racking and automated distribution system as used by Blum on other sites around the World. The building is 20m to eaves and has a 3.7m deep basement pit to accommodate the automated system and racking masts.